LeRoy "Doc" Affolter

LeRoy “Doc” Affolter, age 93, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2025, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will be at the Marshall Cemetery, followed by a reception back at the church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to his celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall (http://www.christlutheran-marshallmn.org) or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, Minnesota (https://mvl.org).

LeRoy Marion Affolter was born August 12, 1932, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Josephine (Huss) and John Edgar Affolter. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School through 8th grade. In 1950, LeRoy graduated at the top of his class from Mankato High School and remained a proud Scarlet throughout his life. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and was awarded the American University Professors Award as valedictorian of the Mankato State Teachers College class of 1954.

LeRoy became a caddy at the Mankato Golf Club at the age of eleven with his older brother, Allen. He went on to play in high school as a member of the Scarlet’s golf team, playing twice in the Minnesota State High School golf meet. As a member of the Mankato State golf team, LeRoy played four winning seasons for coach Carlyn P. Blakeslee.

During his college years, LeRoy worked as a teller at the National Citizens Bank in Mankato. He met his future wife, Carol Rohlin, while they both attended Mankato State Teachers College and taught Sunday School at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

LeRoy and Carol were joined in Holy Matrimony by Rev. Gamm on June 6, 1954, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. Encouraged to enter the field of Optometry by Carol’s father, Dr. Fred Rohlin; LeRoy enrolled in the Illinois College of Optometry in 1955. He graduated summa cum laude as valedictorian of his class in 1958. During those years, Carol and LeRoy lived in Elmhurst, Illinois, and became charter members of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, where they both taught Sunday School.

In 1958, LeRoy joined the optometric practice of Dr. Fred Rohlin in Marshall. Carol’s brother, Dr. Bruce Rohlin, joined the practice in 1960. LeRoy continued to practice optometry in Marshall until his retirement on December 21, 2012.

The Lord showered LeRoy and Carol with many blessings. In 1961, they were blessed with the gift of a daughter, Sheri Lynn. Together they supported and celebrated her in all her many activities.

As a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, LeRoy served as usher, church council member, secretary, treasurer, and on the Board of Education. He supported the ministry of Jesus Cares and cherished the hours spent with his friends welcoming and lending a helping hand to the participants. LeRoy looked forward to going to Jesus Cares twice a month and always proudly displayed the pictures and notes they sent to him.

LeRoy supported the community of Marshall by serving in many organizations. He belonged to the Marshall Jaycees, Southwest Concert Association, Planning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, and Marshall Golf Club board. As a professional in the field of optometry, he was a member of the Southwest District Optometric Society, Minnesota Optometric Association, and American Optometric Association. He was awarded the Minnesota Distinguished Optometrist of the Year in 2001.

In 1990, LeRoy and Carol purchased a lake cabin on Lake Minnie Belle near Litchfield, MN. They enjoyed fishing with friends and the many visits from Sheri, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

LeRoy enjoyed playing golf at the Marshall Golf Club until the age of 90. He loved treating his grandchildren to lunch at The Fairway. It gave him the opportunity to show off his precious great grandchildren and have a putting contest with them on the practice green. LeRoy had many treasured friends from the golf club, but none more than Matt and Kat Bennett. Visits from them with their sweet daughter, Amelia, were a bright spot in his later years that he always looked forward to.

The Lord took Carol to be with Him in 2012. In his final days in hospice, LeRoy held tightly to his faith and the knowledge that he would see her again in heaven.

LeRoy is survived by daughter, Sheri Lynn (Robert) Helgeson of St Paul; grandchildren, Jeremy Meyer of Minneapolis, Krysta (Kyle) Winter of Harrisburg, SD, Ashley (Andrew) Wong of New Ulm, Jordan (Brittany) Meyer of Mankato; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Arceneaux, Logan Arceneaux, Tristan Meyer, Lucas Meyer, Noah Winter, Addilyn Winter, Amelia Winter; cousin, Ron Affolter of Mankato; nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; parents, John and Josephine Affolter; infant brother, Raymond; brother, Allen (and Beverly) Affolter; parents-in-law, Dr. Fred and Ruth Rohlin; brother-in-law, Dr. Bruce Rohlin; sister-in-law, Marlys Rohlin Wohlers; and an infant great-grandson, Timothy Wong.